Anton Geyser is a renowned South African sports photographer celebrated for his dynamic and captivating images that bring the intensity of athletic competition to life. Geyser is exceptionally talented at capturing the raw emotion and decisive moments in sports. His work spans various sporting events and disciplines, reflecting a deep understanding of both the technical aspects of photography and the nuances of sports. We chat with the acclaimed sports photographer about his incredible career, some of his most memorable sporting moments, and his journey to becoming one of South Africa’s most sought-after sports photographers.
From a young age, Geyser was always deeply passionate about sports, playing several provincial sports and traveling overseas to play professional cricket. This love for sports naturally translated into his photography career. “My journey into photography began during a holiday in the bush, where I picked up wildlife photography as a hobby,” he recalls. “Over time, this passion evolved, and I found myself increasingly drawn to capturing sports events.”
Geyser’s career as a sports photographer took off as he started photographing sports training sessions, which led to events and promotional team photos for South African sporting teams. His exceptional skills soon caught the attention of major sports organisations, and he began working closely with the South African athletics, swimming, and rugby teams at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. This experience paved the way for his involvement in the Olympics, a natural progression for his career.
Having covered the Youth Olympics in 2018 in Argentina and the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Geyser’s most memorable experience was in Tokyo. “The challenges posed by COVID-19 added a unique dimension to the event, with new procedures and ways of working. Despite these challenges, the games were incredible, and Japan was an amazing country to visit,” he shares. Geyser is particularly excited about the 2024 Paris Olympics, where historical landmarks will serve as event locations, adding unmatched visual and sentimental significance to the photographs.
Among the sports he covers, Geyser has a particular fondness for swimming and athletics. “I love the action these sports offer and have worked with some of the athletes for many years. It’s amazing to see them transform into the best versions of themselves,” he says.
Preparing for an event as large and diverse as the Olympics requires meticulous planning. As one of two Official Team South Africa photographers, Geyser emphasises the importance of dividing and conquering. “We focus on photographing South African athletes, so planning is essential to ensure we cover all bases,” he explains. This includes coordinating who covers which sports each day, ensuring accreditations are sorted, organising transport, and arriving early to secure the best photographing spots.
Geyser exclusively uses Nikon equipment, including two Z-9 bodies, one Z-8 body, and a range of lenses from 400mm F2.8 to 35mm. “This versatile setup allows me to be prepared for any shot. Knowing your equipment inside out is crucial for capturing high-speed action while maintaining image quality,” he notes.
Technical challenges, such as dealing with high volumes of people and ensuring reliable Wi-Fi and signal for exporting and sending photos, are common. Geyser balances capturing iconic moments with finding unique, lesser-seen angles by focusing on hero images of South African athletes first and being more creative during events without South African participation.
One of Geyser’s most rewarding moments was at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he anticipated Tatjana Smith’s reaction after winning a gold medal. “I positioned myself strategically and captured a now-iconic photo of her looking towards her coach,” he says. Conversely, challenging moments arise when predictions don’t go as planned or when unexpected interruptions occur, such as officials walking in front of his camera.
Geyser’s post-production workflow involves a rating system to weed out the best photos, followed by editing and quickly getting hero images to media agencies. For him, timing is everything in making a great sports photograph, capturing the emotion and story behind the moment.
For aspiring sports photographers aiming to cover major events like the Olympics, Geyser advises passion and perseverance. “The work is hard, high-pressure, and not as glamorous or high-paying as some might think. However, passion sets your photos apart from the rest,” he asserts.
In closing, Geyser expressed gratitude to Orms, particularly Mike Ormrod and his go-to salesman Eddie, for always going above and beyond in providing equipment. “Being interviewed for Orms is a full-circle moment for me,” he reflects.